Hat with Hat-Band Loops

ABSTRACT

A hat having a crown and a brim supports mounting of a variety of attachment devices for carrying personal items on the head of a wearer that would otherwise be carried in a pocket or handbag. Attachment devices include, but are not limited to, a variety of loops, belts, rings, cords and pockets. The selection of attachment devices and their placement may be determined by a manufacturer of the hat or customizable for or by a specific wearer. Where the crown is removably attached to the brim by fasteners, attachment devices mounted on the crown conveniently remain intact through a change from one brim to another. Attachment devices may be used to develop or enhance the ornamental appearance of the hat for a fashion statement, especially when incorporated with crown-brim fasteners, and particularly with a cowboy style hat.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to hats. More particularly, thedescribed hat provides a multitude of attachment points and devices tosecure small items to the crown and brim.

BACKGROUND

As head-covering apparel, hats provide protection from the elements,such as sun, wind and precipitation, as well as from hazardous work orrecreational environments. Some hats are worn for fashion while othersserve to support an identity of the wearer. Typically, the utility of ahat is limited to these features as a head covering.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The described hat is constructed of a crown portion and a brim portion.The brim may be, but is not necessarily, removeably attached around theperiphery of the crown. A variety of attachment points and devices areprovided to secure small items to the crown and brim. These particularlyinclude loops located at or near the intersection of the brim with thecrown and spaced around the periphery of the crown.

The loops are sized, shaped, and spaced to accommodate a variety ofsmall objects of the wearer's choice. Examples of objects that may besecured by the loops include such things as a pen or pencil, a penlight, cigarettes either individually or in a small pack, keys, orgenerally anything that a wearer might otherwise carry in a shirt, coator pants pocket. When not in use for storage of small objects, the loopsserve as ornamentation. Enhancement of the ornamentation may beaccomplished by inserting a flower or cutting of foliage into one ormore loops, or by threading a scarf through several or all of the loops.

The loops may be produced from a variety of materials, generally basedupon the form of a strap. The loops may be fixed in size, stretchable oradjustable. Those loops that are adjustable may be formed from ahook-and-loop strap, a belt with buckle, a ribbon or strap with buttonsor snaps, or a variety of other devices. The loops may be fixed to thehat in place, or they may be formed separately to be removably attached.In the instance of a crown with removably attached brim, loops and otherattachment devices that are affixed to the crown are retained tofacilitate an interchange of the brim

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The particular features and advantages of the hat and associated devicesdescribed herein will become apparent from the following descriptionwhen taken in conjunction with one or more of the accompanying FIGS.1-15 of the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a cowboy style hat with the crown separated from the brimand a multitude of exemplary attachment devices;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a hat as a wearer might wear it withbasic attachment devices;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the hat;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the hat;

FIG. 5 depicts the hat with a selection of attachment devices in an opencondition such as to receive a pencil for storage;

FIG. 6 shows the hat of FIG. 5 with the attachment devices in a closedposition, including storage of a pencil;

FIG. 7 shows one possible mounting of an attachment device such as theone depicted in FIG. 8;

FIG. 9 indicates an alternate mounting and closure operation of theattachment device of FIG. 10;

FIG. 11 shows a mounting at the intersection of the crown with the brimof an adjustable peg-and-socket closure enlarged in FIG. 12;

FIG. 13 depicts mounting of a similar attachment device as riveted tothe brim;

FIG. 14 illustrates the hat with only a few basic attachment devices toshow the crown separated from the brim identifying an optionalcomplementary fastener to facilitate the separation; and

FIG. 15 shows the hat of FIG. 14 with complementary fastener closed to awearable condition including basic attachment devices.

The following Reference Numbers may be used in conjunction with one ormore of the accompanying FIGS. 1-15 of the drawings:

-   100 hat-   105 internal mount-   110 external mount-   112 magnet-   115 grommet-   118 rivet-   120 loop, general-   125 elastic or adjustable storage band-   128 flexible band closure-   130 hook-and-loop closure-   140 snap ring closure-   145 snap ring mount-   150 ring, solid or split-   160 adjustable peg-and-socket closure-   162 peg, of peg-and-socket closure-   165 socket, of peg-and-socket closure-   170 spring-clamp cord closure-   180 belt-and-buckle loop-   190 temple loop-   195 cartridge belt-   200 crown-   220 inner surface of crown-   250 periphery of crown-   280 outer surface of crown-   300 brim-   350 flange (raised collar) of brim-   380 hat band-   400 complementary fastener-   452 snap post-   455 snap cap-   500 pencil

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The figures included here depict a hat in a cowboy style, though theutilitarian elements described are applicable to a wide variety of hats,especially those having a distinct crown and brim. The hat 100 shown inFIG. 1 is comprised of a crown 200 and a brim 300. An outer surface ofthe crown is exposed, while an inner surface 220 of the crown 200 isadjacent to an upper portion of the head of the wearer. In thisdepiction, the brim 300 is attached around the periphery 250 of thecrown 200 by complementary fastener 400 to produce a hat with separablecrown and brim as will be shown in greater detail with regard to FIG.14. The utility of this separability in relationship to the presentlydescribed features will come to be recognized later in this description.

A basic cowboy hat is shown in FIGS. 2-4 for its ornamental appearanceas loops are distributed around the periphery 250 of the crown 200.Shown in FIG. 2 is a perspective view, with a front view in FIG. 3 and atop view in FIG. 4. The image in FIG. 5 illustrates a first level ofutility as a pencil 500 is placed into one of the loops 120. Any of avariety of loops may be chosen for this particular purpose. Here, thepencil 500 is to be held by an adjustable peg-and-socket closure whichwill be described in detail later. An alternate loop is constructed froma strap having characteristics of a hook-and-loop fastener, shown in anopen position as 130. As the loops shown as open in FIG. 5 are closed inFIG. 6 the pencil 500 is held in place by the adjustable peg-and-socketclosure 160.

A pencil holder is but one among many of the multi-function attachmentsdescribed here. Shown in FIG. 1 are a variety of loops and otherattachment devices that may be applied to the hat 100. The described hat100 provides an alternative for a wearer to carry items in an easilyaccessible manner that might otherwise be carried in a pocket of ashirt, coat or pants, or in a separate handbag. The selection of aspecific device and its placement on the hat will be made to meet thespecific needs of the purchaser and wearer of a customizable hat. Thechoice of each device and its placement will be determined to optimizeease of accessibility to the item that is to be stored. In addition topens and pencils, other examples of objects that may be secured by asimple loop on the hat include such things as a pen light, keys, andcigarettes either individually or in a small pack. A wide variety ofother items may be carried in other attachment devices.

As various devices are now described, one is to recognize that what isshown here is merely a set of examples of attachment devices withoutregard to any particular size, placement, or selection of materials,other than in very general terms. To begin, the basic loop 120 may beformed from a variety of materials, including but not limited to fabric,leather, plastic or metal. Each of these may be mounted to the hat 100by an adhesive, by stitching or stapling, or with rivets. Additionalmounting systems include snaps, buttons and magnets.

In one situation a wearer may prefer a very simple loop 120. To providea clean appearance as in FIGS. 2-4 and FIG. 6, both ends of the strapmaterial used to form the loop would be captured at the inner surface220 of the crown 200 to be folded out from the inner edge 350 of thebrim 300 to rest on the brim as depicted in FIG. 7 and FIG. 9. Such aloop may be constructed from a variety of materials. A loop of stiffplastic or metal may form an adjustable band closure 125 as illustratedin FIG. 8 which may be spread to insert an item for storage.Alternately, a more pliable material, as is typical of a hook-and-loopsystem, may be opened out flat (120′, FIG. 9) and rolled into a closedposition as a flexible band closure 128 seen in FIG. 10.

In addition to the band closures (125, 128), loops 120 may be formedfrom a variety of ribbons or cords, whether of fixed length orstretchable, as an elastic band. Multiple loops may be arranged aroundonly a portion or the entirety of the periphery 250 of the crown 200 tocapture items such as a scarf, feathers, or flowers for ornamentationthat is easily changeable for personalization to a particular mood orevent.

In another instance a wearer of the hat 100 may prefer loop 120 to beformed from a simple strap constructed as a hook-and-loop fastener 130.Such a loop is shown in an open position in two configurations inFIG. 1. As with many of the attachment devices a hook-and-loop fastener130 may be attached at an upper end to an inner surface 220 of the crown200 as depicted by an interior mount 105. Alternately, an exterior mount110 applies an equivalent hook-and-loop fastener 130 to an outer surface280 of the crown 200. In the former instance (105) the fastener 130would naturally roll into a round loop, whereas the latter (110) wouldmore likely hang over the brim 300 in a tear-drop shape.

Another loop 120 may be formed from a snap ring closure 140. This wouldmount to the crown 300 using a snap ring mount 145. The length of thisparticular device is adjustable by selection of one of the multipleavailable small snaps on a length of strap or ribbon.

A key ring 150 may be attached to the crown 200 by a length of ribbon orother strap-like material. The key ring 150 itself may be solid orsplit, where a split ring comprises a short segment of compressionspring, allowing keys or other objects to be added and removed. Inanother form a split ring is constructed as two annular halves hinged toone another with a catch to hold the ring closed.

An adjustable peg-and-socket closure 160 can be seen at the rear of thecrown 200 in FIG. 1 This placement is merely one of many possible asFIG. 11 shows the same attachment device (see FIG. 12 for a closer view)attached at the intersection of the crown 200 with the brim 300. Devicesplaced in this location may be attached either to the crown or to thebrim though the former is to be preferred for reasons to be discussedlater herein. As shown in FIG. 11, the peg-and-socket closure 160 isattached to the crown by a small magnet, which requires a metalliccomponent attached to or within the crown.

FIG. 12 shows a peg-and-socket closure 160 in an open position suppliedwith a snap ring mount 145 providing attachment to the hat. To adjustthe size of this particular closure device, the body is closed to thedesired size and peg 162 is inserted into the nearest socket 165. Analternate means of attachment for the peg-and-socket closure 160, or formany of the other attachment devices described in this paper, is therivet 118 shown in the brim 300 of FIG. 13.

Shown in two locations in FIG. 1 is a spring-clamp cord closure 170.This provides a hanger for an object when it is attached to the crown200 by looping it through a pair of grommets 115 or using rivets (118,not shown). Another option is to attach the spring-clamp cord closure170 to the brim 300. Positioned at the rear of the brim, this serves asa hanger for the hat. For a hat having a hole (not shown) in the rear ofthe crown to allow for an exposed pony tail, the spring-clamp cordclosure 170 serves as an adjustable pony tail holder.

When the hole in a hat configured for a pony tail is not in use, thehole may be covered by a small pocket (not shown), more for decorationor simple coverage rather than another purpose. Such a pocket may beremovably attached to the hat or mounted along a top edge to be liftedout of the way to allow insertion of a pony tail and then released torest on it. A more general purpose for a pocket mounted in anotherlocation on the hat would be for storage of credit cards, an ID card oreven a wallet.

A belt-and-buckle loop 180 provides another option for adjustablestorage. This device may be attached to the crown 200 or to the brim300. Materials may be selected from any common belt material such asleather, fabric or plastic. Functionality similar to a belt and bucklemay be achieved by a chain with a hooked end that is turned back to hookinto a link at an appropriate length.

It is common to carry sunglasses or eyeglasses on one's head, shiftingthem over the top of one's head when not in use. This option ceases tobe available when a person dons a hat. Temple loops 190, as shown inFIG. 1 and FIG. 14, provide an alternative to carrying glassesseparately in another pocket or handbag. Slipping an earpiece of theglasses into a temple loop 190 and sliding the temple of the glasses toseat in the loop gives a wearer secure storage with ready availability.For greater security both temples of the glasses may be secured by usingtwo suitably spaced temple loops 190, in which case the glasses may bestored with the temple arms in either open or closed positions.

Some wearers, perhaps cowboys in particular, may like to displayammunition cartridges, whether for utility or for show, and whetherrifle or shotgun shells. This is accommodated by a segment of cartridgebelt 195. This attachment device may be mounted as one or more shortsegments on the side of the crown near or further above the brim. Somewearers of the hat may take a liking to a continuous cartridge belt 195extending the full perimeter of the crown, essentially a bandolierserving as a hat band.

As indicated previously, where a particular attachment device issuitable for mounting either on the crown 200 or the brim 300, it may bepreferable to choose the former. The justification for this is shown inFIG. 14 where the crown 200 is separable from the brim 300. Thisconstruction allows a wearer to interchange the brim 300 in order toalter the character of the hat 100 without any need to reload personalitems onto a customized crown 200. The brim 300 may be supplied in avariety of sizes, say 2-inch, 4-inch, or 5-inch, or in a variety ofshapes or colors. Furthermore, a separable brim 300 may be made of amaterial other than that of the crown 200, for instance to apply aflexible brim to the crown of a hard hat.

Separability of the crown 200 from the brim 300 may be enabled by avariety of complementary fastener 400. FIG. 14 depicts a series of snapsfor separately connecting the crown to the brim. Here, snap posts 452are mounted to the flange (raised collar) 350 of the brim 300. To closethe hat 100 to its wearable condition, snap caps 455 in correspondinglocations around the periphery 250 of the crown 200 are mated with thecorresponding snap posts 452. The snap caps 455 may be chosen for aparticular ornamental effect.

It will be recognized that there are many complementary fasteners 400that would be suitable for use in this construction. One alternative tothe snaps shown in FIG. 14 is buttons and button holes in which case thebuttons would be mounted on the flange (raised collar) 350 of the brim300 facing outward so as to engage button holes in the crown 200 toleave the buttons exposed as ornamentation.

Other examples of complementary fastener 400 that provide separabilityof the crown from the brim include a series of grommets through which acord may be threaded. A variation on this is to mount small loops, sayof wire or cord, facing outward from the flange (raised collar) 350 ofthe brim 300 to protrude through complementary grommets in the crown200, threading a cord through the protruding loops to secure theconnection. Where it is desired that the connection of the crown to thebrim be hidden, the complementary fastener 400 of choice might be acommon hook-and-loop fastener such as that sold under the tradenameVelcro®.

Although the hat has been described in terms of certain configurations,others will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, includingthose configurations that provide only a single common attachmentfeature. By selecting among the attachment devices shown here andplacing them in various combinations and locations, a hat in keepingwith this design may be customized to meet the needs and desires of manypurchasers and wearers of hats. The endless variety of configurations isto be defined only by the claims and equivalents thereof here appended,coupled with the needs and imagination of the wearer of the describedhat.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hat, comprising: a crown; a brim; and anattachment device for holding a personal item, wherein the crownsubstantially covers an upper portion of a head of a wearer, and whereinthe attachment device is attached to the crown, and wherein the brim isattached to the crown at a periphery of the crown.
 2. The hat of claim1, wherein the attachment device is a strap secured at a first end tothe crown.
 3. The hat of claim 2, wherein the strap is terminated at asecond end in a key ring.
 4. The hat of claim 2, wherein the strap isformed into a loop.
 5. The hat of claim 4, wherein the loop is formed byattaching a second end back on the strap with a complementary fastener.6. The hat of claim 5, wherein the complementary fastener comprises asnap.
 7. The hat of claim 5, wherein the complementary fastenercomprises a button and button hole.
 8. The hat of claim 5, wherein thecomplementary fastener comprises a hook and loop fastener.
 9. The hat ofclaim 2, wherein the strap is a belt with buckle.
 10. The hat of claim1, wherein the attachment device is attached to the crown by stitching.11. The hat of claim 1, wherein the attachment device is attached to thecrown by an adhesive.
 12. The hat of claim 1, wherein the attachmentdevice is attached to the crown by a snap.
 13. The hat of claim 1,wherein the attachment device is attached to the crown by acomplementary fastener.
 14. The hat of claim 13, wherein thecomplementary fastener comprises a snap.
 15. The hat of claim 13,wherein the complementary fastener comprises a button and button hole.16. The hat of claim 13, wherein the complementary fastener comprises ahook and loop fastener.
 17. The hat of claim 1, wherein the brim isremovably attached to the crown by one or more complementary fastener.18. The hat of claim 17, wherein the complementary fastener comprisesmating snaps.
 19. The hat of claim 17, wherein the complementaryfastener comprises a hook and loop fastener.
 20. The hat of claim 17,wherein the complementary fastener comprises buttons and button holes.